Nutley, Belleville Photographers Earn Top Spots In County Contest

NUTLEY, NJ — Residents of Nutley and Belleville captured the top two spots in the adult division of the annual Essex County Parks Photography Contest.

Both artists used local scenery as their inspiration. Gary Wiener from Nutley received first place in the Adult Category for “Yanticaw Park” (see social media post below).

And Michelle Palmer from Belleville received second place in the Adult Category for “Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossoms” (see photo above).

“We congratulate the winners of the Essex County Parks Photography Contest and thank all the contestants for sharing what they experienced in our historic Parks System,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

The Essex County Parks Photography Contest was sponsored by the Essex County Environmental Center and judged by members of the Essex County Photography Club. Anyone with a camera was encouraged to participate. Entries were judged in two categories: Youth for ages 17 years and younger and Adult for ages 18 and older. All photographs should have been taken within the boundaries of the Essex County Parks System during the past year. Entries were judged on creativity, technical superiority, composition, and the photograph’s depiction of the uniqueness of the Essex County Parks System.

All winning photographs were displayed at the Essex County Environmental Center.

“Events like these encourage our residents to visit our open spaces and share their artistic talents,” DiVincenzo said. “All these photographs capture the beauty, highlight the diversity and natural splendor of our parks, reservations and recreation facilities.”

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